Saturday, March 30, 2002
10:02 p.m.
What have I been spending my time on lately? Homework? Heh. Nope. I set up a web page for Millersville University's Entomology Club, of which I'm the secretary. If you go there, you'll notice the same unimaginative layout as my journal. Why? Because I'm unimaginative. :^P There's really nothing much posted there yet; I just felt the need to justify my existence for the week.
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Friday, March 29, 2002
07:51 p.m.
Is it Friday? Why, yes it is!
1. If you could eat dinner with and "get to know" one famous person (living or dead), who would you choose?
Hmm... that's a tough one. There are really few famous people that I've ever come to admire in any way, shape, or form. Now that I think about it, though, I think that I'd like to meet Bill Cosby. He was someone I looked up to as a kid and always seemed pretty down-to-earth.
2. Has the death of a famous person ever had an effect on you? Who was it and how did you feel?
I remember being really upset when Jerry Garcia died. I mean, he was a legend. Legends aren't supposed to die. I think what upset me the most, though, was how upset my mom was about it. She used to say that someday we'd go to see a Grateful Dead concert (because, you know, they were supposed to be around forever), and then we just couldn't.
I also went to Paris only a month or two after Princess Diana was killed. Our tour bus drove through the tunnel where her car was in the accident, and her portrait was hanging at the site along with lots of flowers. That was...well, eerie.
3. If you could BE a famous person for 24 hours, who would you choose?
Uh. I dunno. I'd like to travel around the world and see lots of animals, so maybe Steve Irwin? You know, the Crocodile Hunter. (^__^)
4. Do people ever tell you that you look like someone famous? Who?
Nope, nobody. :^)
5. Have you ever met anyone famous?
How famous is Moxy Fruvous nowadays? ::grins:: Got to say hi to the band after a show once. That's close enough, I think. (^_~)
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Saturday, March 23, 2002
01:36 a.m.
And I will be changing the colors and archiving soon...probably after I get back to university. The spring-like green and blue were nice in January, but they're really starting to bug me now. I'm thinking something warm and orange-ish... ::looks at archive #12::
...Okay, I'm uncreative and boring. What are you still reading for? Shoo!
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Saturday, March 23, 2002
01:01 a.m.
Oooo, I really like this: The Topics Blog.
You're right, I'm not creative or original. ::shrugs:: I guess that I'm just one of those people who needs a kick in the right direction. Maybe I'm a little too placid for my own good.
"what ethnicity are you? what characteristics, whether linguistic, physical, cultural, or otherwise do you like? don't like? what are some ethnic backgrounds that you enjoy hearing or learning about?"
Ah, ethnicity. Lessee, I'm English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh, German, Cherokee, and Klamath (that is, from one of the peoples of the Klamath river valley, Oregon). The Native American ancestry is from way back, so I really don't look it, except in the nose. Besides, I've got light brown hair and blue eyes.
I love learning about other cultures. I may be a natural science major, but people fascinate me, too. I'd love to learn another language (the four years or so of French I took has long since faded in the face of chemical equations and taxonomy, unfortunately). Je m'appelle Jessica, an'at. What I'd really like to someday learn, though, is American Sign Language. At least then I wouldn't have to humiliate myself trying to pronounce foreign words. ::grins::
"How do you feel about loud people? Are you loud? Do loud people annoy you? Do you think they are loud because they are less uptight and having more fun, or that they are obnoxious and doing it for attention?"
Eheh. Loud and I do not get along. I do find it obnoxious. Maybe they are less uptight, but their fun should not come at the expense of others. I've often had the notion that particular people are loud for attention and are therefore pretty selfish or self-absorbed. (This question hit a pet peeve of mine. Can't you tell? ^_~)
I don't like it when people watch television loud, either. I mute commercials. 'Nuff said.
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Friday, March 22, 2002
11:10 p.m.
And look! It's Friday!
1. What is your favorite time of year?
Spring!
2. What is it about your favorite season that, well, makes it your favorite season?
The flowering trees, songbirds, and the air just smells cleaner. Even when it's really not. (^_^;;)
3. What is your least favorite time of year? Why?
Summer. Ugh. I can't stand those airless days of 95F and high humidity. Only our downstairs has air conditioning. I suppose if we had a basement where things were cooler it wouldn't be so bad, but we don't have basement. So there you go. ::grins::
4. Do you do anything to celebrate or recognize the changing of seasons?
Besides throwing the windows open wide? Nothing really, I guess.
5. What's your favorite thing to do outside?
Do I have to pick a favorite? ::grins:: Ah, hiking, picnic-ing, walking.
Which Rainbow Brite kid are you? By 
Growing.
Why am I not surprised? (^_^)
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Tuesday, March 19, 2002
02:10 a.m.
I've got a backlog of Friday Fives. Here are two:
From... I don't remember when:
1. Have you ever had braces? Any other teeth trauma?
I had braces for three years. I finally got the things off during my second semester of my sophomore year of college. I guess in braces years, I was freaking old when I got them put on. Other than that, I've had five teeth pulled and several fillings.
2. Ever broken any bones?
Yep. I was nine months old when my babysitter dropped me when my parents weren't home. The little #%@~! never told them that she dropped me so I went a couple of days with a broken leg without my parents understanding what was wrong (apparently, I hardly ever cried as a baby so they knew something was wrong because I was fussy). I ended up having to be in traction for three weeks (and over my first Christmas, too!) in the hospital. I then had a cast on for another three weeks. ::sigh:: Stupid babysitter. Luckily for me, I guess, is that I don't remember it at all. (^_~)
3. Ever had stitches?
Only because of oral surgery when I had my wisdom teeth out and when I had some surgery done on my gums to keeps my teeth from shifting around.
4. What are the stories behind some of your [physical] scars?
Hmm. Nothing really exciting - just some cat scratches, chicken pox scars, and a nasty (although apparently really funny) dive I took across gravel and pavement.
5. How do you plan to spend your weekend?
Doing physics problems, going to the movies, and sleeping. :^D
From 3/15/2002:
1. What's your favorite animal?
Ahh! I can't pick a favorite! I'm a biology major - I love animals!
2. What pets have you had in your lifetime?
Whew, let's see. Dog, cats, guinea pigs, hamsters, iguanas, anoles, chameleon, tropical fish, tree frogs, tadpoles (released), painted turtle (2 days, then released), garter snake (1 night, escaped ^_^;;), box turtles (released), hermit crabs, sea monkeys (brine shrimp), monarch butteflies (raised as caterpillars, then released), zebra finches, snails.
3. Is there any specific pet that you've wanted but never had? Why?
Heehee. When I was in elementary school, I wanted a caiman and a rose boa or a ball python. The caiman (a small relative to the crocodile) I wanted to walk around on a leash. ::laughs:: You know, because no one else would've had one. I've also wanted newts, salamanders, frogs, geckos, chameleons, siberian hamsters, rats, mice, rabbits, a dog, a tortoise, and a pony. I mean, who hasn't? ::grins::
I also wanted to buy all of the parrots that I saw in the pet stores so that I could set them free. They looked so sad!
4. Are you allergic to any animals?
Nope (thank God!).
5. Do you have any 'pet' pet peeves (your pets or others')?
Hm... why yes, I do. Our cat, Renfield, has been neutered and yet he *still* finds the need to mark his territory. It's really gross, and really, there isn't much that we can do about that. Other than that, our cats are incredibly spoiled. Surprise, surprise.
All right, that's all. I really should get to bed. 'night!
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Tuesday, March 19, 2002
01:34 a.m.
::Blinks::
Ugh. I just finished a paper that's due Wednesday. At school. A hundred miles away from where I am now. And my professor wants hardcopies of the papers only - no email.
(>_<)
But it's spring break! Yes! And I only have two more papers to write and about four other homework assignments. Yay!
I owe people email. I'm sorry. The last week or so hasn't been good, but I will respond soon.
Bad things seem to happen in clumps. Six weeks ago, things were looking really up. Now, though... ::shakes head:: Most of the bad things involve family members, unfortunately - illnesses, deaths, car accidents, etc. It's just depressing. I try not to worry about things which are beyond my control, but at 1:30 in the morning, it ain't easy.
Enough of the downers, eh? Where's the fun stuff? Aha! Here is something: dMarie Time Capsule. This is how things were the day/year that I was born. Geez, Physical by Olivia Newton-John? Now I feel freaking old. :^P To find out what life was like the day you were born, click here.
In the town where I was born
Lived a man who sailed to sea
And he told us of his life
In the land of submarines
So we sailed up to the sun
Til we found the sea of green
And we lived beneath the waves
In our yellow submarine
And our friends are all on board
Many more of them live next door
And the band begins to play.
As we live a life of ease
Everyone of us has all we need
Sky of blue and sea of green
In our yellow submarine.
--- The Beatles, Yellow Submarine
Doesn't that sound nice?
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Friday, March 8, 2002
08:25 p.m.
Entomology Club Rules!!
::Ahem:: Sorry. It's our motto. What can I say?
We just returned from an outing to Philadelphia's Academy of Natural Sciences where we had the opportunity to go "behind the scenes" to where they house over three million insect specimens. It was really cool. The naphthalene, though - man. The place reeked of it. :^D Anyway, I had a great day (I hadn't actually been in the city for quite some time, so that was a nice change of pace, too). Plus, the other club members and our advisor are an absolute riot to be with. We're science geeks, so you know that we're going to be a bit quirky, but honestly. The stories these guys can tell... :^D
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Sunday, March 3, 2002
03:19 p.m.
I really should be running errands, writing thankyous, and writing papers, but, there you go. I have to stop this procrastination = internet surfing = silly quiz taking = waste of time business. The funny thing, though, is that I used to play D&D in tenth grade. And I usually played a druid. Imagine that.
I Am A: Chaotic Good Elf Ranger Druid
Alignment:
Chaotic Good characters are independent types with a strong belief in the value of goodness. They have little use for governments and other forces of order, and will generally do their own things, without heed to such groups.
Race:
Elves are the eldest of all races, although they are generally a bit smaller than humans. They are generally well-cultured, artistic, easy-going, and because of their long lives, unconcerned with day-to-day activities that other races frequently conccern themselves with. Elves are, effectively, immortal, although they can be killed. After a thousand years or so, they simply pass on to the next plane of existance.
Primary Class:
Rangers are the defenders of nature and the elements. They are in tune with the Earth, and work to keep it safe and healthy.
Secondary Class:
Druids are a special variety of Cleric who serves the Earth, and can call upon the power in the earth to accomplish their goals. They tend to be somewhat fanatical about defending natural settings.
Find out What D&D Character Are You?, courtesy of
NeppyMan (e-mail)
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Thursday, February 28, 2002
10:43 p.m.
Two of my science-ed major friends suggested to me today that I ought to donate my brain to science. They said that someone might find something interesting in there while they're poking around that might actually explain a bit about my thought processes.
I'm not quite sure what to make of that. :^D
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Saturday, February 23, 2002
02:03 p.m.
Life is Good
Calvin and Hobbes.
Calvin and Hobbes and Foxtrot.
Calvin and Hobbes, Foxtrot, and Rose is Rose.
Calvin and Hobbes, Foxtrot, Rose is Rose, and The Far Side.
See? Life is good.
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Wednesday, February 20, 2002
01:40 p.m.
Ah, yesterday was my brother's 20th birthday. Isn't that exciting? Yes, it is. (^_^)
Here is me angsting about course work ---> ::angst:: >_O
Yes, my professors definitely have it out for me this semester.
To be even more random (I'm killing time before a geology lab exam at 2pm), I'm not sure how I'm going to finish all of my requirements in time for graduation in December, 2003. I mean, I've already convinced my parents to let me go that one, extra semester (I was supposed to graduate May, '03), but I'm afraid that it's not going to be enough. I still need to take:
Biochemistry
Genetics
Calculus
A perspectives course
Another writing course
11 more credits in biology electives
Junior bloc (nine credit teaching bloc)
Student teaching (12 credits)
That probably doesn't seem like too much, but one has to realize that nearly all biology courses have labs associated with them which make it difficult to schedule other courses around. ::sigh:: My last semester is supposed to include student teaching only. That leaves all of those other courses for two semesters.
I did convince my parents to let me take biochem over the summer, which will help tremendously. That'll leave genetics and calculus for next semester, along with at least two biology courses. Gah. There's a setup for burnout, if there ever was one.
Okay, I'm done. Sorry for siccing this on people. I do feel a little bit better, though.
Eek! Gotta get to geo lab!
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Tuesday, February 19, 2002
07:49 p.m.
Got this from a friend today - just one of those things that make you go huh, that's kinda cool.
---------------------------------------------------
Subject: 8.02 pm on February 20, 2002
Believe it or not but 8.02pm on February 20, 2002 will be an historic
moment in time.
It will not be marked by the chiming of any clocks or the ringing of
bells, but at that precise time, on that specific date, something will
happen which has not occurred for 1,001 years and will never happen
again.
As the clock ticks over from 8.01pm on Wednesday, February 20, time
will, for sixty seconds only, read in perfect symmetry 2002, 2002,
2002,
or to be more precise - 20:02, 20/02, 2002.
This historic event will never have the same poignancy as the 11th hour
of the 11th day of the 11th month whichmarks Armistice Day, but it is
an event which has only ever happened once before, and is something
which will never be repeated.
The last occasion that time read in such a symmetrical pattern was long
before the days of the digital watch and the 24-hour clock - at
10.01am
on January 10, 1001.
And because the clock only goes up to 23.59, it is something that will
never happen again.
-----------------------------------------------------
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Monday, February 11, 2002
06:45 p.m.
Thank you to everyone who wished me a happy birthday yesterday! I had a great day. Look for individual emails soon. For now, it's back to work! ^_^;;
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Sunday, February 10, 2002
12:47 p.m.
Happy Birthday to me! ^__^
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Thursday, February 7, 2002
08:45 p.m.
I'm in the process of writing something for a composition class assignment; here's an excerpt which just illustrates a little bit about my life for the curious:
My parents also did something which I think few parents do for their kids. In an old, ten-gallon aquarium, they placed the eggs of monarch butterflies and the leaves on which they were found. In a short time, the eggs hatched to reveal the tiny, black and white striped caterpillars. My parents would place fresh leaves of the milkweed plant of which monarchs are specifically adapted to feed on as often as was necessary in the aquarium. I remember being amused for long periods of time just watching the caterpillars devour their food. Those caterpillars grew up fast and before long had pupated. At that point, my brother and I would only check in on the chrysalises periodically, watching them get darker as the days wore on. The most exciting bit, of course, was when the butterflies hatched. When they were able to split their way out of their cocoons, the butterflies would rest while slowly flexing the fluid out of their wings. It was one the most amazing sights I had ever seen in my young life. It was even exhilarating to watch them fly away when it became time to let them go.
I wasn't quite five when we had to move again, but I'll never forget the things which I learned about while living in that house. And no matter where we moved to, every summer my parents would set up a fish tank for the monarch butterflies to hatch in.
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Monday, February 4, 2002
06:26 p.m.
I like the idea of an "organic website". Check out the beautiful photographs from around the world - there are some really nice ones of Montana, too. Probably one of my most favorite places to have ever visited was Glacier National Park.
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Thursday, January 31, 2002
08:36 p.m.
See what Care Bear you are.
Oh, wow, I absolutely loved care bears when I was little. :^)
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Thursday, January 31, 2002
04:19 p.m.
Hmm... Groundhog Day will be 02-02-02 this year. That's kind of nifty. :^D
And yes, the US has a day named after large, burrowing rodents. We are a little nutty, I suppose. ::grins::
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Monday, January 28, 2002
06:05 p.m.
Just saw one of the biggest darn moons in a moonrise tonight. If you're behind GMT -05:00, you might get a chance to see it yet. :^D
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Tuesday, January 22, 2002
07:43 p.m.
I just had an in-class writing assignment to complete in advanced composition. We were supposed to write about what things have we been thinking about or obsessing over lately in order to sort-of get-to-know-us. Well. I wrote about the nonplus thingy from yesterday and the one question which has been eating at me since my last earth science course: would life on this planet have evolved if there were no moon orbiting it (you know, the whole tide thing in conjunction with the primordial ooze theory, if you believe in such a thing)?
Geez. I am such a geeky shmoe.
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Monday, January 21, 2002
10:59 p.m.
I have come across several times while reading not only internet publications, but also paper publications (particular examples escape me at the moment) where the word nonplus is misused. Often times it is used to describe the reaction of a character as being unaffected by a situation or a conversation. However, what the word really means is to be baffled or perplexed by said situation or conversation (this comes from Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, 1975 edition). I wonder where the misuse of the word originated from. Any ideas?
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Monday, January 21, 2002
6:55 p.m.
I'm back at school. Yay. Not much is really new, or at least not much that I can think of. I even had physics II today at the same time as I had physics I last semester. I added a few links here and there; please don't be offended if I've linked you - it simply means that I like your writing. I also set up a little page of fanfic recommendations, mainly for my own use over here. What can I say? I have no life (but not for much longer, if my professors have anything to do with it...).
::shrugs:: Okay, that's all.
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